Healthy Homes Assessment Johnsonville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Johnsonville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Johnsonville, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Johnsonville rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Johnsonville rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Johnsonville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Johnsonville

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Johnsonville

Johnsonville rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Johnsonville

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Johnsonville

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Johnsonville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Johnsonville

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Johnsonville include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Johnsonville for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.